Compact Case with Detachable Leaves

ABSTRACT

A makeup compact with one or more detachable leaves for holding cosmetic products that may be detached and replaced when the cosmetic product is depleted or as otherwise desired by the user. The leaves may also be detached from the compact and interchanged with different detachable leaves holding different cosmetic products.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of and claimspriority to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/553,945, filed on Oct. 27,2006.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/901,163, filed on Feb. 13, 2007, U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/901,180, filed on Feb. 13, 2007, and U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/901,199, filed on Feb. 13, 2007, the entirecontents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a compact case with detachable leaves.

BACKGROUND

Makeup compacts are known in the art. Conventional makeup compactstypically comprise a top housing, a bottom housing, and one or morereceptacles filled with one or more cosmetic products. Typically, eachreceptacle is fixedly attached to the interior of the compact. As such,once one of the receptacles is empty, the entire compact is no longer ofuse to the user, and is typically discarded. Alternatively, thereceptacles may be cleansed and refilled with the depleted cosmeticproduct. But this process is difficult and highly inefficient for theuser.

In addition, traditional compacts typically house only one or two typesof cosmetic products. Thus, if a user wants to carry and apply more thanone cosmetic product, the user has to carry more than one makeupcompact. This is also inefficient, cumbersome, and inconvenient.

Compacts with removable receptacles are also known in the art. In thesecompacts, the receptacles themselves are removable from the inside of acompact lid. This allows the user to refill and customize thereceptacles with desired products. These prior art receptacles may beremovable in a variety of different ways, such as, for example throughthe use of magnets. However, these solutions are complicated andunsatisfactory for efficient and easy use.

One reason compacts with removable receptacles are inefficient is theirlarge size. The size of the receptacles in a compact (and by extension,the amount of cosmetic product the receptacles are capable of housing)is directly related to the size of the compact case itself. For example,a wider or larger compact has more interior surface area forreceptacles, and therefore may hold more cosmetic product. Ideally, auser would have as much surface area as possible in which to house andarrange a customized selection of cosmetics products. To enable thisdegree of flexibility, a compact with removable receptacles would haveto be quite large. However, users typically desire cosmetic compacts tobe small and conveniently carried. Compacts are typically placed andtransported in purses, handbags, pockets, or other places where space islimited. They also may be used to apply makeup in places where there islittle room to maneuver. Thus, large compacts may be difficult tomanipulate. Therefore, despite the refillable nature of the receptacles,the usefulness of a compact with removable receptacles is severelylimited by its large size.

Compacts with multiple fixed leaves are also known in the art.Typically, a portion of the faces of these leaves are recessed to formreceptacles that may hold cosmetic product. Having multiple leavesprovides additional surface area to hold cosmetic product. However,compacts with fixed leaves are still inconvenient due to the lack offlexibility of removing, customizing, or refilling the compact withcosmetic products that the user desires. For example, if there is morethan one type of product in the compact and the user finishes one ofthem before the other, the user may cleanse and refill the emptyreceptacle, discard the compact, or carry an additional compact toreplace the depleted one, all of which, as noted above, are undesirableoptions.

SUMMARY

In some implementations, a makeup compact comprises one or moredetachable leaves for holding cosmetic products that may be detached andreplaced when the cosmetic product is depleted or as otherwise desiredby the user. The leaves may also be detached from the compact andinterchanged with different detachable leaves holding different cosmeticproducts.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages will be apparent to in view of the following description anddrawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1A depicts a top view of an opencompact with a single detachable leaf;

FIG. 1B depicts a top view of a single detachable leaf;

FIG. 2A depicts an illustrative view of a first leaf implementation;

FIG. 2B depicts an illustrative view of a second leaf implementation;

FIG. 2C depicts an illustrative view of a third leaf implementation;

FIG. 3A depicts a perspective view of a first compact implementation;

FIG. 3B depicts a closed cross-section view of a first compactimplementation;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a second compact implementation;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a third compact implementation; and

FIGS. 5A-B depict the lines along which an injection molded plasticstructure may be cut in order to form the top and bottom housing of acompact.

FIGS. 6A-6M depict an implementation of a home organizer for storing avariety of cosmetic products.

FIGS. 7A-7E depict implementations of a multi-purpose cosmeticapplicator wand.

FIGS. 8A-8J depict implementations of a compact carrying case forsecuring and carrying one or more cosmetic compacts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a description of some implementations of a compact casewith detachable leaves. In some implementations, a compact case houses,protects and stores facial cosmetic products, such as, for example,foundations, concealers, eye shadows, lipsticks, lip glosses, mascara,and makeup application tools such as, for example, brushes, mirrors, andtweezers. In some implementations, a makeup compact comprises detachableleaves for housing makeup and facial application tools. In someimplementations, a makeup compact comprises detachable leaves havingrecessed areas, or receptacles, that hold cosmetic products. The leavesmay be detached, removed, interchanged, and refilled as desired.

FIG. 1A shows one implementation. Depicted is an open makeup compact 100comprising a top housing 110, a bottom housing 112, a base member 114,and a leaf 116. The leaf 116 comprises a main member 118, a connectingmember 119, and a cylindrical hinge pin 120. The cylindrical hinge pin120 may be detachably connected to the base member 114, which is moldedto the bottom housing 112. As discussed further below, the base member114 and the cylindrical hinge pin 120 allow the leaf to be detachablyconnected to the compact.

In some implementations, the compact opens and closes in a clamshell-like manner. The top housing 110 may comprise a convex ellipticalshape. The bottom housing 112 may also comprise a convex ellipticalshape. When the compact 100 is closed, the top housing 110 and thebottom housing 112 meet and align along their perimeter edges.

In some implementations, the top and bottom housings 110, 112 arefixedly connected to one another by a hinge assembly 126. As shown inFIG. 1A, the top housing 110 has two arms 117, 121 molded to its baseend. The arms 117, 121 of the top housing 110 extend in the horizontaldirection away from the base end of the top housing 110. The ends of thearms 117, 121 distal to the top housing 110 are preferably rounded sothat the arms do not come into contact with the bottom housing 112 whenthe top housing is pivoted about a shaft 328 as discussed below. Nearthe center of each of the ends of the arms 117, 121, there is a hole(not shown). The hole is used to mount the arms 117, 121 to a shaft 328that is mounted inside a hinge cover 127 at the base end of the bottomhousing 112. The hinge cover 127 is preferably created when the tophousing 110 is cut away from the bottom housing 112 after an injectionmolding process as discussed below. The hinge cover 127 has two grooves129, 131, one at each end of the housing. In order to connect the tophousing 110 to the bottom housing 112, the arms 117, 121 mount to theshaft 328 through their respective holes and extend through the grooves129, 131. The arms 117, 121 may pivot about the shaft 328 so that thecompact 100 may be opened and closed without the arms 117 and 121 cominginto contact with the bottom housing 112. One of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that other structures may be used to fixedly connectthe top and bottom housings 110, 112 without deviating from the scope ofthe present invention. Some implementations include structures thatallow the top and bottom housings 110, 112 to be removably connected toone another.

Once closed, the top and bottom housings 110, 112 are preferably securedin the closed position by a clasp assembly 350. The clasp assemblycomprises a clasp member 351 at the top end of the top housing 110. Asshown in FIG. 3B, when the compact is closed, the clasp member 351engages the top end of the bottom side of the bottom housing 112 suchthat the compact is secured in the closed position. The clasp member 351has an indentation 352 that securely engages with a tooth 353 on the topend of the bottom housing 112 when the clasp member 351 is pressedagainst the tooth 353. The clasp member 351 is preferably flexible toallow it to be detachably connected to the tooth 353. As is apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art, the top and bottom housings 110, 112may be secured in the closed position by other well known means.Alternatively, the top and bottom housings 110, 112 may be secured inthe closed position by other means not including a clasp assembly. Forexample, the hinge assembly may be designed with sufficient resistancesuch that without a certain degree of force, the top and bottom housingsmay be held in the closed position without a clasp assembly. As isapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, other such closures maybe used and are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

In some implementations, the leaf 116 can be oblong in shape. The mainmember 118 of the leaf 116 can comprise one or more recessed areas, orreceptacles, on its face. The leaf 116 depicted in FIG. 1A comprises onesuch receptacle 130. In another implementation, there may be one or morerecessed areas on the face of leaf 116. For example, the leaf depictedin FIG. 1B houses two such receptacles 132, 133. In anotherimplementation, the compact may house one or more leaves 116 asdiscussed below.

An implementation of a makeup compact capable of housing two detachableleaves is shown in FIG. 3A. As depicted in FIG. 1A, the base member 114comprises a first set of snap fingers A1/A2 that are molded to thebottom housing 112. The snap fingers A1/A2 are spaced apart at adistance such that the connecting member 119 fits in between the twosnap fingers. Each of the ends of the snap fingers A1/A2 are angled suchthat the snap fingers resemble an inverted “L” and so that they maygrasp opposite ends of the hinge pin 120 once the leaf 116 is snappedinto position as discussed below.

In some implementations, the base member 114 also comprises a mechanicalstop 323. As is depicted in FIG. 3B, the mechanical stop 323 comprises afirst and second plane 324, 325. A second set of L-shaped snap fingersB1/B2 are molded to the first plane 324. A third set of snap fingersC1/C2 are molded to the second plane 325. Snap fingers C1/C2 preferablyhave flat ends.

In some implementations, the leaf 340 may be detachably connected to thebase member 114 by inserting the connecting member 119 between the snapfingers A1/A2 such that the ends of hinge pin 120 engage between thearea formed by the interior of snap fingers A1/A2 and the exterior ofsnap fingers B1/B2 and the first plane 324. Preferably, the hinge pin120 is able to pivot about its axis. The leaf 340 may be detached fromthe base member by slightly flexing snap fingers A1/A2 away from thecylindrical member in order to disengage the hinge pin 120. The leaf 338may be detachably connected to the base member 114 between snap fingersB1/B2 such that the ends of hinge pin 120 engage between the area formedby the interior of snap fingers B1/B2 and the exterior of snap fingersC1/C2 and the second plane 325 As is apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art, other types mechanisms that allow for detachability of aleaf 340 and pivotability about the axis of the hinge pin 120 may beused.

In addition to one or more leaves being detachably connected to thecompact, leaves may be interchanged as well. Any number of leaves withthe same mechanical ability to detachably connect to the base member ofa compact may be attached, removed, and interchanged with other leavesthat may then be connected in their place. In this manner, the user maycustomize which leaves are placed into the compact at any point in time.For example, on a daily basis, a user may select her leaves based on herchoice of clothing color, accessories, and planned schedule for the day.A user may have her preferred selection for workday, weekend, eveningout, and other such day-to-day activities.

In some implementations, the leaf 116 may also comprise a tab 122extending from the main member. The tab 122 may preferably be used tolabel the leaf 116.

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative view of three implementations of the leaf216. FIG. 2A shows an implementation of the leaf 216 that comprises asingle receptacle 230 covering virtually the entire face of the mainmember 218. FIG. 2B shows a second implementation of leaf 216 thatcomprises two receptacles 231, 232, side by side on the leaf 216,together covering virtually the entire face of the main member 218. FIG.2C shows a third implementation of leaf 216 that comprises threereceptacles 234-236.

In some implementations, the compact and leaves are made ofinjection-molded plastic. This compact is created starting with a solidmold of plastic. In order to create the pieces that form the top andbottom housing of the compact, a first cut is made along the line A-A,to a halfway depth in the mold, as shown in FIG. AA, at a point that issufficient distance from the right end of the mold to leave sufficientmaterial to form hinge cover 127. A second cut is made along the lineB-B, to a halfway depth in the compact at a point near that issufficient distance from the left end of the mold to leave sufficientmaterial to form clasp assembly 350. A third cut is made along the lineC-C, along the perimeter of the compact 100, as shown in FIG. 5B inorder to split the mold into the top housing and the bottom housing. Oneof ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other materials andmethods may be used as well.

With several implementations having been described above, the functionis now described. The function of some implementations is to house andprotect cosmetic products and application tools for a user inside anefficiently packaged and easily organized, refillable, and customizablecompact.

In some implementations, the compact as described above is designed tohold detachable leaves 216 that comprise receptacles (as shown in FIG.2) that house cosmetic products. Each receptacle may house one or morecosmetic products for application by a user. The cosmetic products maycomprise any one or more of the following: foundation, applicator brush,mirror, concealer, lip gloss, lipstick, mascara, blusher, eye shadow, ora lipstick/liner or a mascara/eyeliner duo, among other products. Theterm cosmetic product, when used in this disclosure, is not limited tothe products listed above, rather, is intended to include any and allproducts that are in any way applied to the skin to enhance or changethe skin's appearance. The tab on the leaf may be used to identify theproduct housed by the leaf, the shade of the product housed, ordirections for applying the product, among other attributes.

The hinge assembly 126 connecting the top and bottom housings 110, 112allows the user to open and close the compact, and access the productsinside the compact. The scope of the invention is not meant to belimited to hinges only. Rather, any assembly that fixedly connects twomembers about a point such that the member can be opened and closedrelative to each other can be used.

The clasp assembly 350 is used to secure the top and bottom housings110, 112 in a closed position for a desired period of time, therebyprotecting the cosmetic products inside the compact from contaminationby external sources in the surrounding environment (e.g., air or theinside of a purse). Similarly, the surrounding environment is protected,be it the inside of a user's jean pocket or the laptop beneath thecompact in a user's bag, from coming into contact with the cosmeticproduct in the compact. Any closure that secures two members in a closedposition such that the integrity of the members is not compromised byattaching and detaching them can be used.

FIG. 3 shows an implementation of a makeup compact. The compactcomprises a top housing 310, a bottom housing 312, and a base member314. In this implementation, there are two detachable leaves 338, 340connected to the base member 314. Base member 314 comprises two set ofsnap fingers A1/A2 and B1/B2, and B1/B2 and C1/C2, respectively.

In this implementation, the first leaf 338 comprises two receptacles.The first receptacle may preferably house concealer and the secondreceptacle may house eye shadow base. The second leaf 340 comprises asingle receptacle and may preferably house foundation. A mirror 341 maybe affixed to the inner face of the top housing 110. The mirror 341 maybe used to facilitate the user's application of the cosmetics. The areabetween the bottom housing and the leaf 340 forms a pocket 343 forhousing an applicator brush 344 that may be used to apply the productshoused in the compact's leaves. For example, in an implementation whereone of the leaves houses concealer, an applicator brush properly angledto apply concealer to a user's skin may be housed in the pocket 343. Thetop housing and bottom housing 312, 314 are aligned along theirperimeter, and fixedly attached via the hinge assembly 326 at one end,for opening and closing as described above. At the other end, the topand bottom housings 312, 314 may secured in a closed position by a claspassembly 350 as described above. A user may open the compact by pressingupward on the clasp member 351 in order to disengage the top and bottomhousings 312, 314.

FIG. 4 shows a second implementation of a makeup compact. The compactcomprises a top housing 410, a bottom housing 412, and a base member414. In this implementation, two detachable leaves are removablyconnected to the base member 414. The first leaf 446 comprises threereceptacles. The first receptacle can house one matte lipstick. Thesecond receptacle can house lip gloss, possibly in a coordinating shadeto the lipstick. The third receptacle can house an applicator brush inbetween the lipstick and lip gloss. The second leaf 448 comprises asingle receptacle which houses blusher. One of the top or bottomhousings houses a lighted mirror that may be permanently or removablyaffixed to the interior of the top or bottom housings of the compact.The hinge assembly, the clasp assembly, and the attachment of the leaf446 to the base member 414 can operate the same as described withrespect to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a third implementation of the makeup compact. The compactcomprises a top housing 510, a bottom housing 512, and a base member514. In this implementation, there is one detachable leaf 550 removablyconnected to the base member 514. The leaf 550 comprises threereceptacles. The first receptacle can house a first shade of eye shadow.The second receptacle can house a second shade of eye shadow. It is alsopossible that both receptacles house the same shade of eye shadow. Thethird receptacle can house an applicator brush that may be positioned toreside between the two receptacles housing eye shadow. Again, the topand bottom housings are fixedly attached at their edges by a hingeassembly 526 which allows the top and bottom housings 510, 512 to pivotwith respect to one another about the hinge. In addition, the top andbottom housings 510, 512 may be removably connected to each other by aclasp member 551 in the manner described in FIG. 3 above. Also, the basemember 514 holds the cylindrical bar of the leaf 550, as described inFIG. 3.

A user may utilize the cosmetic compacts described above to become moreefficient in carrying, storing, and applying cosmetics. The removableand interchangeable leaf arrangement allows a user to customize whatproducts are in a compact, to design the arrangement and organization ofthe compact, and to conveniently package together different productsneeded. The cosmetics are efficiently grouped and arranged by a typicalorder of application by a user. For example, regarding oneimplementation of the compact, concealer and eye shadow base arepackaged together, which is logical as they are applied at the same orsimilar stage of makeup application. Similarly, another leaf in the samecompact may house foundation, which users typically apply immediatelybefore or after the concealer, depending on preference. An arrangementwith all of these products in one compact facilitates maneuverabilityand application for the user. This also saves the user time inmanipulating makeup cases, and causes makeup application to be a fasterprocess. Similar efficiencies exist in the implementation housinglipstick and lip gloss together as typically these are applied one afterthe other. Whenever a receptacle becomes empty, a user may preferablyremove leaves with empty receptacles and replace them with new leaves.

Home Organizer for Cosmetic Products

FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate a home organizer 600 for storing a variety ofcosmetic products. The home organizer may comprise a cylindrical shape,having sectional doors (601 a and 601 b) that open to reveal theinternal storage space. When used in conjunction with a set of makeupcompacts (100), compact carrying cases (800) and applicators (700), theorganizer is used to store current, alternative, and backup supplies, asthe flexibility of the compact system allows.

In the interior of the cylinder, there may be different platforms,shelves, and drawers inside, designed to accommodate storage ofdifferent types of cosmetic products and applicators (e.g., items 700and 701). The middle section of the cylindrical tower may comprisedrawers or trays. A user may pull these drawers to an open position toplace a makeup compact (e.g., item 100) inside, or retrieve one alreadythere. The trays are shaped and sized to hold one or more standard sizedmakeup compacts (e.g., item 100), including powders, foundations, orblush. And, the trays can hold individual compact leaves containingcosmetics, if these leaves are separable from larger makeup compacts.

When the home organizer doors are opened, more storage is revealed onthe interior walls of the doors. The doors are sections of the perimeterof the cylinder's face, which lay flush when closed, and pivot back onhinges when opened. Some internal portions of the doors comprise slotsor pegs designed to store lip and eye makeup applicators (e.g., items700 and 701) including eyeliner, mascara, lip-liner, and lipstick orgloss. Other portions of the doors comprise holders for cosmetic toolsand applicators such as tweezers and brushes of different shapes andsizes. The brushes may correspond to the makeup stored elsewhere in thehome organizer. For example, there may be one or more brushes forapplying each of powder, blush, eye shadow, or lip-gloss, among others;all items that may be stored in trays or slots in the home organizer, ifdesired. Pull-out drawers 602 can store compact carrying cases (e.g.,item 800).

Multi-Purpose Cosmetic Applicator

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate implementations (700 and 701) of a multi-purposecosmetic applicator wand comprising at least two extensions for applyingdifferent kinds of cosmetics. The two extensions are secured to aconnecting base portion. The dual-ended applicator typically containscosmetic products and applicators that are related by type, andproximity (in terms of typical user application sequence); for example,one implementation 701 can contain lip-liner and a brush, and anotherimplementation 700 can contain eyeliner and mascara. Both items in theapplicator (700, 701) would typically be used for applying makeup to thesame region of the face, so having them integrated into a singleapplicator wand is both convenient and efficient for the user. It is notuncommon for a user to apply makeup in an unconventional place, such asa train, and therefore be constrained by a lack of space for spreadingout and maneuvering the cosmetic cases, mirror, and other makeupapplication paraphernalia.

In an implementation, the multi-purpose applicator 700 resembles a tubeof mascara. At one end, a wand is housed in a tube containing liquid,such as mascara. At the other end, an eyeliner pen may protrude from theconnecting base portion. The connecting base portion is the center towhich both extensions attach or dock, at opposite ends. At the ends,certain products are covered with a cap or shield to seal in and protectthe cosmetic within. Covers snap on and off, and the extensions joinwith the connecting base portion by screwing securely into place.

In another implementation 701, the multi-purpose applicator may resemblea pencil and comprise a lip-liner at one end, and a brush at the other.When applying makeup, a typical user would first line the lips with thepencil and then use the brush for evenly distributing lipstick orlip-gloss product onto the lips.

Other implementations can combine various cosmetic products in adual-ended applicator wand.

Compact Carrying Case

FIGS. 8A-8J illustrate implementations (800 and 801) of a compactcarrying case for securing and carrying one or more cosmetic compacts(100). The carrying case may comprise an elliptical clam-shell shape. Ahandle is carved out of the case for easy carrying and handling. A claspsecures the top and bottom clam-shells together, and to open the case, auser may push the clasp portions in opposite directions from theirconnected positions.

When used in conjunction with a set of makeup compacts (100) andapplicators (e.g., 700), the compact carrying case allows the user tostore makeup in one organized location, and keep compacts (100) andapplicators (e.g., 700) safe from the everyday jarring that occurs tothose items when they are simply tossed haphazardly together into a bigpurse.

When opened, the clam-shell case reveals a clam-shell top and clam-shellbottom, the bottom portion having at least one carve-out sized to hold acompact (100). There may be carve-outs for any number of compacts,arranged side-by-side or in a circular pattern. The compact carve-outsthemselves are typically elliptical or oval in shape, to accommodate thecoordinating shape of the standard-sized makeup compacts. There also maybe at least one carve-out provided to secure a multi-purpose cosmeticapplicator (e.g., 700). The compacts and applicator may “snap” securelyinto place in the carve-outs.

Although there may be one particular size and shape of carve-out thatbest coordinates with a particular set of cosmetic compacts andapplicators, the carrying case can comprise different sizes and shapesto accommodate the most typical, or any specific size, of compact cases.The overall style and function of the carrying case would remainunchanged.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the compactcould be designed with only a bottom housing, a base member, and adetachable leaf. The base member would be connected to the bottomhousing and the leaves would still removably connected to the basemember via their hinge pins. Accordingly, other embodiments are withinthe scope of the claims.

1. An apparatus comprising: a top member; a bottom member; a basemember, and one or more leaves that are detachably connected to the basemember.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a hinge assembly fixedlyconnects the top member to the bottom member.
 3. The apparatus of claim2 wherein the hinge assembly further comprises: a housing member, thehousing member comprising one or more grooves; a shaft mounted insidethe housing member; and one or more arms molded to the top member, thearms being connectable to the shaft such that the arms are pivotableabout the shaft through the grooves of the housing member.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein a clasp assembly secures the top and bottommembers in a closed position.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein thetop member comprises a clasp member, the clasp member further comprisingan indentation, and the bottom member comprises a tooth, the claspmember being engageable to the tooth.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the leaf comprises: a main member, a hinge pin for detachablyconnecting the leaf to the base member.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6wherein the base member comprises a first pair of snap fingers; a secondpair of snap fingers; and a mechanical stop, the first pair of snapfingers, the second pair of snap fingers, and the mechanical stopforming an area to receive the hinge pin.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7wherein the leaf is detachably connected to the compact by inserting thehinge pin in the area formed by the first pair of snap fingers, thesecond pair of snap fingers, and the mechanical stop.
 9. The apparatusof claim 8 wherein the leaf is pivotable about the axis of the hingepin.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base member is fixedlyattached to either the top or bottom member.
 11. The apparatus of claim6 wherein the main member comprises one or more recessed areas forhousing cosmetic product.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the leafcomprises a tab.
 13. An organizer structure for organizing cosmeticproducts, the organizer structure comprising: a generally cylindricalbody; two hinged doors disposed on an outside surface of the cylindricalbody; a plurality of receptacles adapted to receive the apparatus ofclaim 1; and a plurality of receptacles adapted to receive cosmeticapplicators.
 14. A carrying case for storing one or more makeupcompacts, the carrying case comprising: a generally elliptical uppermember and lower member; a plurality of receptacles adapted to receivethe apparatus of claim 1; and a receptacle adapted to receive a cosmeticapplicator.
 15. The carrying case of claim 14 wherein the cosmeticapplicator comprises: a generally cylindrical body having a first endand a second end; an applicator for a first cosmetic product disposedproximate to the first end; and an applicator for a second cosmeticproduct disposed proximate to the second end.
 16. The cosmeticapplicator of claim 15 wherein the first cosmetic product is eyelinerand the second cosmetic product is mascara.
 17. The carrying case ofclaim 14 wherein the cosmetic applicator comprises: a generallypencil-shaped body having a first end and a second end; an applicatorfor a first cosmetic product disposed proximate to the first end; and anapplicator for a second cosmetic product disposed proximate to thesecond end.
 18. The cosmetic applicator of claim 17 wherein the firstcosmetic product is lip liner and the second cosmetic product islipstick.
 19. The cosmetic applicator of claim 15 wherein at least oneof the first and second cosmetic products is stored in the generallycylindrical body.
 20. The cosmetic applicator of claim 17 wherein atleast one of the first and second cosmetic products is stored in thegenerally cylindrical body.